TURA, Aug 20: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the Techno Incubation Centre (TIC) for jackfruit processing in Tura with the hope of not only improving the quality of products made from jackfruit but also providing a sustainable source of income for farmers and entrepreneurs.
Established at the College of Community Science, Tura, the incubation centre, according to the chief minister, is a larger part of the Mission Jackfruit.
In his virtual address as the chief guest, Conrad informed that the incubation centre was one of the government’s important developmental projects dedicated to the people of the region.
He highlighted that the incubation centre was conceived as a state-of-the-art facility to maximise jackfruit utilisation and reduce wastage during seasons with an aim towards the production of value-added jackfruit products, thereby boosting the local economy and generating new opportunities.
The chief minister also said that the incubation centre provides advanced training resources and technological support to farmers and entrepreneurs, encouraging innovation and sustainable practices in jackfruit processing.
Conrad said the centre is also equipped with a quality-control laboratory for food testing, which, he added, is vital to maintain food quality.
It may be mentioned that the Directorate of Food Processing, Meghalaya, is the implementing agency of the Mission Jackfruit, which aims to transform jackfruit, an underutilised resource, into a commercially viable product, offering sustainable income opportunities for local farmers and entrepreneurs.
